Nymphaea caerulea, commonly known as blue lotus or sacred blue lily of the Nile, is a tropical water lily that features day-blooming, star-shaped flowers (to 4-6” across), each with upright, pointed, light blue petals spread flat on the water surface. Each leaf is connected directly to the plant rhizomes by a long leaf stalk (petiole). Flowers typically bloom from July to the end of summer.

Planting & CareThis tropical water lily is best grown in still water in full sun to part shade.Plant rhizomes in spring, preferably in small containers. Plant each rhizome at a 45 degree angle with the bud end up and with the bud slightly above the soil surface.
Set containers in 9-16” of water (after the water temperature has warmed to about 70 degrees F.) at the bottom of a water garden or tub garden or at the muddy bottom of a small pond.

Sunlight: Full sun.

Soil: Rich clay soil mix.

Water: Wet.

Temprature: 70 degrees F.

Fertilizer: These plants are heavy feeders and will not bloom without lots of fertilizer, so fertilize regularly.

Care:

For overwintering, bring each container indoors before the first fall frost to a cool dark place, dry over several weeks, find the dormant rhizome in the container and wash it off, place the rhizomes in slightly damp sand or peat in a plastic container, cover the container with a lid (perforated with holes) and keep the container in a cool (about 50-60 degrees F) and dark place for winter (e.

g.

basement), checking periodically to make sure the sand does not totally dry out.

In spring, dust rhizomes with fungicide/bactericide, return them to containers and plant under water as soon as water temperatures return to 70 degrees F.

UseCulinary use:

blue lotus flowers are used to make various concoctions including blue lotus tea, wine and martinis.

Recipes for such drinks involve steeping or soaking the petals, about 10–20 grams for up to three weeks.

Blue lotus tea is prepared by boiling the entire flowers for 10–20 minutes.

In general use a soil-based compost placed over a generous layer of drainage material such as earthenware crocks, pebbles or gravel. Water and feed regularly, especially while plants are bearing flowers and fruit, when a high-potash fertilizer is recommended.

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Using pebbles in a garden brings different colours and textures to the garden. Pebbles can also fill up otherwise empty space in the garden, leaving a visual that might be considered more interesting and aesthetic than simple dirt, soil or mulch.